Students often decide to take gap years — a period of time between receiving an undergraduate degree and starting a medical school program. Gap years serve various purposes such as improving application competitiveness, exploring opportunities beyond academia, or engaging in research endeavors. The decision to take a gap year should be tailored to your individual circumstances and aspirations. Here are common gap year experiences:
Post-Baccalaureate Programs:
Post-Baccalaureate (postbac) programs encompass diverse educational experiences bridging the gap between undergraduate studies and medical school. Some postbac programs offer certificates while most offer graduate degrees in health-related fields such as biomedical science or public health. Postbac programs can be used to:
- Increase your GPA
- Strengthen academic foundations
- Meet course prerequisites for medical schools (career changer programs)
- Increase clinical experiences
Some postbac programs operate in collaboration with medical school admissions, offering interviews or admission offers to postbac students who meet program criteria. Other postbac programs offer curriculum-embedded clinical experiences, MCAT preparation support, and other medical school application support. If you're interested in pursuing a postbac program, please refer to The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Postbaccalaureate Premedical Programs Directory where you can search for postbac programs based on your interests and needs.
Other Gap Year Pursuits:
- Community or international volunteering
- Certification-based medical employment (e.g., EMT)
- Clinical experiences (non-employment)
- Research study
- Other employment
In essence, there are many opportunities to accumulate supplementary experiences—volunteering, medical work, or research—to enhance your application. Your choice to embark on a gap year or proceed directly to medical school should align with your unique circumstances and aspirations. Our role is to support your decision, ensuring you are equipped to thrive in your chosen path. For personalized guidance, feel free to connect with us at prehealth@rpi.edu or Schedule a Pre-Health Advisory Appointment.
